Car truck



J. A.' SHAFER Jan. 4,1938.

CAR TRUCK INVENTQRE Jan. 4, 1938. J. A. SHAVFER 2,104,404

CAR TRUCK Filed Nov 6, 1954 2 sheets-sheet 2 INVENTOR:

ATTORN Sr Patented Jan. 4, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAR TRUCK Application November 6, 1934, Serial No. 751,677

17 Claims.

This invention relates to railway car trucks.

One of its objects comprises novel provisions enabling a truck bolster to be effectively supported on a side frame by leaf spring means. The in- 5 vention additionally provides a truck retaining the advantages of that shown in my Patent No. 1,973,664, dated September 11, 1934, while at the same time enabling the bolster to be supported through leaf spring means in a distinctly novel 10 manner. A further feature resides in the provision of a car truck of the type shown in my patent aforesaid so constructed as to enable the bolster to be supported by leaf springs both above and below the side frame shelf, and furthermore alternatively enabling the bolster to be supported by leaf spring means above and coil spring means below the shelf, or by coil spring means above the shelf and leaf spring means below, or by coil spring means both above and below the shelf. 20 The invention thus provides a truck presenting the advantageous two-story side frame construction of my aforesaid patent and concurrently enabling the utilization of a wide variety of bolster supporting spring combinations in the upper and lower stories of the side frame. Another phase of the invention resides in a novel bolster structure adapted to receive either leaf spring or coil spring means for cooperation with a side frame, in which connection the invention further provides for the retention of either leaf or coil spring means in the bolster enabling the latter and the leaf or coil spring means carried thereby to be inserted into or withdrawn from the side frame as a unit, with marked facilitating of assembly.

and disassembly of the truckwhenever desired. A more specific feature of the invention furthermore comprises a bolster possessing the characteristics set forth above and at the same time adapted to cooperate, through means projecting through a side frame shelf,- with spring supporting means in the lower portion of the side frame. Other features of the invention will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view showing a portion of a car truck embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view illustrating my novel bolster construction and taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section similar to Fig. 1 but illustrating the adaptability of the bolster to the accommodation of coil spring means in lieu of the leaf spring shown in the bolster in'Fig. l.

Referring to the drawings there is shown at A a side frame of the same construction as that illustrated in Figs. "7-9 of my Patent No. 1,973,664 previously referred to, said side frame comprising a compression member 2, and a bolster receiving window between spaced columns of the side frame, one of which columns is shown at 3. Below the window, the side frame comprises a tension portion 4,-box-shaped in cross-section, the top of which is formed by the shelf 5. The bottom wall 6 of the tension portion 4 may support a pair of coil springs in the same manner as shown in my aforesaid patent or, alternative- 1y, there may be positioned in said tension portion a leaf spring 1, which may be supported at its ends on seat members, one of which is shown at 1', in the same way as illustrated in my pending application Serial No. 600,398, filed March 22, 1932. While but one side frame and the operating end portion of the bolster B are shown it will be understood that a similar side frame is provided for receiving the opposite end portion of the bolster and cooperating therewith in the same manner. For an understanding of my present invention a showing of one side frame and the associated 'end portion of the bolster is sufficient.

The bolster B may be the same as that shown in my above-mentioned patent with the exception of the end portions as will presently be described. As in said patent the bolster is provided at each end with a pair of integral downwardly projecting lugs 8, 8, adapted to pass through corresponding openings in the shelf 5 of the associated side frame for engagement with the spring means in the lower story of the side frame. Also, through the lugs 8 on the opposite end portions of the bolster, in cooperation with the shelves of the side frames engaged thereby, the bolster ties the side frames together. The bolster further comprises a top wall 9 and depending vertical side walls l0, l0.

In carrying out my invention I provide in each end portion of the bolster a longitudinally extending elongated channel between intermediate vertical walls II, II, depending from the top wall 9. The walls II, ll, as shown, extend a considerable distance beyond the side walls In, I0, and form a channel, open at its bottom, for the reception of a leaf spring l2. The latter is shown as of the semi-elliptic type and the leaves thereof are held together by a band l3 which surrounds them. When the bolster end is inserted into the side frame A the intermediate section of the leaf spring rests, through the bottom of the band l3, upon the side frame shelf 5, While the ends of said leaf spring bear against por-. tionsof the bolster for yieldingly supporting the latter. Thus, the end l2 ofthe spring [2 is shown in Fig. 1 as bearing against a portion of the bolster top wall 9, while the'end I2" of said spring may, as shown, bear against a wall I4 cast integral with the bolster.

Each of the walls H, H is curved outwardly at I5, IS, the outwardly curved portions of each wall forming with those of the other a set of pockets adapted to receive coil spring units l1,

I8 (Fig. 3) whenever the employment of such 1 springs is preferred. Holes l9, I9, in the top wall 9 of the bolster provide for the insertion of bolts 20, 20 which extend at their lower ends through retaining plates 2|, 2|, respectively,

'. which underlie the lower ends of the spring units IT, I8. As shown in Fig. 3, the coil springs bear through the retaining plates 2 I, 2| upon the shelf 5 of the side frame. Through said bolts and retaining plates the spring units ll, l8 are held in assembled relation to the bolster during assembly and disassembly of the bolster with respect to the side frame, or whenever the side frame is withdrawn from the bolster as for wheel change.

The spring units l1, l8 may be readily inserted I into the respective pockets [5, I6, of the walls ll by simply moving said spring upwardly into said pockets from beneath said walls. 1

The leaf spring l2 may likewise be inserted with facility into the bolster by simply raising said leaf spring from beneath the walls ll into the space between said walls. Said leaf spring may be retained in the bolster in any suitable way as, for example, by the insertion of bolts 22, 22 through the Walls H, II, and beneath the end portions of the spring. The spring band I3 is notched on opposite sides at 23, 23, to enable the .leaf spring unit to be passed between the bolster trunnions 8, 8; and these notched portions of the band, in cooperation with the inwardly curved or projecting portions 24 of the walls ll between the portions l5, l6, maintain the leaf spring against longitudinal shifting in ,the bolster. The lugs 8, 8 project downwardly from bottom walls 25, 25 joining the respective walls II with the adjacent side walls I!) of the bolster,-and the inwardly curved portions 24 of'the walls ll may conform, as shown in- Fig. 2, with the curvature of said lugs. Vertical transverse walls 26, 26,join

- the ends of the walls I0, l0, with intermediate portions of the curved. pockets I5, l6 of the walls II, II, and merge also into the top 'wall 9 and bottom walls 25, 25. H, H are joined by end walls 21,, which also mergewith the top walls.

As shown in my patent previously referred to, the bolster lugs 8, 8 may be hollow for receiving suitable projections on the spring means below the 'shelfifor centering said spring means.

It will bereadily'seen from the foregoing description that my invention provides effectively for the employment of either leaf or coil spring means in the bolster and enables tlfe utilization of such means without interference with the advantages inherent in the two-story type of car truck disclosed inmy aforesaid patent. With my invention moreover, various combinations of spring units are possible. Thus, leaf springs may be employedin both the upper and the lower stories of the side frame as illustrated in Fig. 1, or coil springs may be employed abovethe shelf 5 and a. leaf spring therebelow as shown in Fig. 3. Likewise, coil springs may be employed below the The outer ends of the walls side frame shelf as illustrated in my patent aforesaid, while the leaf spring l2 as shown in Fig. 1 hereof may be utilized above said shelf. As a. further, option, coil springs may be employed both above and below the shelf. The invention thus provides in a. unitary structure for the employment of any of various spring combinations. It also enables either leaf or coil spring means to be assembled expeditiously into the bolster and retained therein as a unit during insertion and withdrawal of the bolster with respect to the side frame, and further provides for maintaining the desired longitudinal relationship between the spring means and the bolster. All this is moreover attained while preserving the ability of the bolster to tie the side frames of the truck together through the depending bolster lugs 8 and otherwise retaining the cooperation between bolster and side frames present in the disclosure of my above mentioned patent.

The subject matter shown and described in thisv application but not claimed herein is claimed in my said Patent 1,973,664 and in my said pending application Ser. No. 600,398. g The terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

I claim:

1. In a car truck, a side frame having a bolster receiving window and a shelf therebelow, a bolster having an end portion extending into said 'window and cams on said end portion cooperating with said side frame for limiting movement of said bolster transversely of said side frame, means on said bolster end portion for positioning ends of an elongated leaf spring, and means I intermediate said positioning means for positioning a. coil spring, said'side frame and said bolster end portion being so constructed and arranged as to enable the mounting on said side frame of elongated leaf spring means above and below said shelf, or elongated leaf spring means above and coil spring means below said shelf, or coil spring means above and leaf spring means below said shelf, or coil spring means above and below said shelf, forsupporting said bolster.

2. In a car truck, a, side frame having a bolster receiving window and a shelf therebelow, a bolster having an end portion extending into said window, said bolster having means projecting downwardly through an opening in said side frame, means on said bolster end portion for positioning ends of an elongated leaf spring, and means intermediate said positioning means for positioning a coil spring, and said side frame and ,bolster end portion being so constructed and arranged as to enable the mounting on said side frame of elongated leaf spring means above and below said shelf, or elongated leaf spring means above and coil spring means below said shelf, or .coil spring means above and leaf spring means below said; shelf, or coil spring means above and below said shelf, for supporting said bolster. I

3. In a. car truck, a4 side frame having a bolster receiving window and ashelf therebelow,

l spring means on said side frame below said shelf,

a bolster having an end portion extending through said window and provided with means projecting through said shelf for engagement with said spring means, said bolster having a leaf spring seat outwardly of said side frame and being so constructed and arranged as to enable either leaf or coil spring means to be interposed between said shelf and said bolster end portion for supporting the bolster.

4. In a car truck, a side frame having a bolster receiving window and a shelf therebelow, spring means on said side frame below said shelf, a bolster having an end portion extending through said window and-provided with means projecting through said shelf for engagement with said spring means, said bolster having a leaf spring seat outwardly of said side frame and being so constructed and arranged as to enable either leaf or coil spring means to be mounted on said shelf for supporting the bolster and to be retained within said end portion for movement with said bolster during insertion and withdrawal of said end portion with respect to said window.

5. In a car truck, a side frame having a bolster receiving window and a shelf therebelow, spring means on said side frame below said shelf, a bolster having an end portion'extending into said window and provided with means integral therewith and projecting through said shelf for engagement with said spring means, said bolster having leaf spring seats outwardly and inwardly of said side frame and being so constructed and arranged as to enable either leaf or coil spring means to be interposed between said shelf and said bolster end portion for supporting the bolster.

6. In a car truck, a side frame having a bolster receiving window and a shelf therebelow, spring means in said side frame below said shelf, a bolster having an end portion received in said window and provided with means extending through said shelf for engagement with said spring means, said bolster end portion comprising a top wall with vertical walls depending therefrom and defining a channel longitudinally of the bolster adapted for receiving a leaf spring, intermediate portions of said side walls being curved to provide for receiving a coil spring as an alternative to said leaf spring.

7. In a car truck, a side frame having a bolster receiving window and a shelf therebelow, spring means in said side frame below said shelf, a bolster having an end portion received in said Window and provided with means extending through said shelf for engagement with said spring means, said bolster end portion comprising a top wall with vertical walls depending therefrom and defining a channel longitudinally of the bolster adapted for receiving a leaf spring, said side walls each having a plurality of outwardly curved portions with an inwardly curved portion therebetween thereby providing for the reception of a plurality of coil springs as an alternative to said leaf spring.

8. In a car truck, a side frame having a bolster receiving window and a shelf therebelow, spring means in said side frame below said shelf, a bolster having an end portion received in said window and provided with means extending through said shelf for engagement with said spring means, said bolster end portion comprising a top wall with vertical walls depending therefrom and defining a channel longitudinally of the bolster adapted for receiving a leaf spring, said side walls each having a plurality of outwardly curved portions with an inwardly curved portion therebetween thereby providing for the reception of a plurality of coil springs as an alternative to said leaf spring, said top wall of said bolster end portion having holes for the reception of bolts adapted to cooperate in retaining said coil springs in position in said bolster.

9. In a car truck, a side frame having a bolster receiving window and a shelf therebelow, spring means in said side frame below said shelf, a bolster having an end portion received in said window and provided with means extending through said shelf for engagement with said spring means, said bolster end portion comprising a top wall with vertical Walls depending therefrom and defining a channel longitudinally of the bolster adapted for receiving a leaf spring, said side walls each having a plurality of outwardly curved portions with an inwardly curved portion therebetween thereby providing for the reception of a plurality of coil springs as an alternative to said leaf spring, said top wall of said bolster end portion having holes for the reception of bolts adapted to cooperate in retaining said coil spring in position in said bolster and said bolster end portion also having provisions for retaining said leaf spring therein.

10. In a car truck, a side frame having a bolster receiving window, and a shelf therebelow, spring means in said side frame below said shelf, a bolster having an end portion received in said window and comprising a top wall having vertical side walls depending therefrom, other vertical walls depending from said top wall and spaced from and extending beyond said side walls, and bottom walls connecting said othervertical walls to said vertical side walls, projections extending downwardly from said bottom walls and passing through openings in said side frame shelf for engagement with said spring means, said other vertical walls providing therebetween a channel longitudinally of the bolster for the reception of a leaf spring adapted to rest on said shelf, said other vertical walls each having a plurality of outwardly curved portions with an inwardly extending portion therebetween adjacent the downward projection of the associated bottom wall, the outwardly curved portions of said other vertical walls being adapted to receive coil springs in lieu of said leaf spring for engagement with said side frame shelf.

11. A car truck bolster comprising an end portion having a top wall and vertical side walls depending therefrom, other vertical walls depending from said top wall and spaced from and extending beyond said side walls, bottom Wall's connecting said side walls with said other vertical walls, and projections extending downwardly from said bottom walls, said other vertical walls providing therebetween a channel longitudinally of the bolster adapted to'receive a leaf spring, and said other vertical walls having intermediate curved portions extending on opposite sides of said projections for receiving coil springs in lieu of said leaf spring.

12. A car truck bolster having a top wall and vertical walls depending therefrom and adapted to receive a leaf spring means therebetween, said vertical walls also having intermediate curved portions for the reception of coil spring means in lieu of said leaf spring means.

13. A car truck bolster having a channel portion open at its bottom for the reception of a leaf spring means and provided with an intermediate curved portion for receiving a coil spring means in lieu of said leaf spring means.

14. A car truck bolster having an end portion comprising a top wall and depending vertical 7 walls providing a longitudinal channel for the reception of a leaf spring, said end portion having means for positioning the ends of said leaf spring, and means intermediate said positioning means for positioning a coil spring in said bolster.

15. A car truck bolster having an end portion comprising a top wall and depending vertical walls providing a longitudinal channel for the reception of a leaf spring, a leaf spring in said channel and having a spring band surrounding the leaves thereof, said band having a notched portion, means comprising portions of said vertical walls engaging in said notched portion of said band for maintaining said spring in a predetermined relation to said bolster, and means on said bolster on each side of said notched portion for positioning a coil spring.

16. A car truck bolster having an end portion comprising a top wall and depending vertical relation to said bolster.

walls providing a. channel open at its bottom for the reception of a leaf spring, means on said bolster cooperating with opposite ends of said leaf spring for retaining the latter in said channel, and means on said bolster cooperating with an intermediate portion of 'said leaf spring for maintaining the latter in a given longitudinal 17. A car truck bolster having an end portion adapted to be associated with a side frame, said end portion comprising a top wall and depending vertical walls providing a longitudinal channel for the reception of a leaf spring, and means on said bolster for alternatively supporting a leaf spring or a coil spring independently of the side frame with which the bolster is to be associated.

JAMES A. SHAFER. 

